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 2024-25 Code of Conduct & Emergency Med Release Word doc HERE

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2024-25 USA SWIMMING & NAAC MAAPP INFO HERE

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NAAC General Protocols HERE

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NAAC Registration Waivers & Agreements HERE

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Lindsay's Law HERE

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NAAC Code of Conduct & Policies Below

 

The NAAC Parent & Swimmer Codes of Conduct include all of the below guidelines, both general and specific.  Your email acknowledgement of our NAAC Code of Conduct & Team Policies functions as acknowledgement and acceptance of these policies.

 

PARENT CODE OF CONDUCT

The purpose of a code of conduct for parents is to establish consistent expectations for behavior by parents.  As parent/guardian, I understand the important growth and developmental support that my child’s participation fosters.  I also understand that it is essential to provide the coaching staff with respect and the authority to coach the team.  As a parent of a swimmer (or swimmers) and member of the New Albany Aquatics Club, I agree to abide by the following guidelines:

1.       Practice teamwork with all parents, swimmers, and coaches by supporting the values of Learn, Have Fun & Compete, the 10 Principles of Athletic Success, as well as the general attributes of Discipline, Loyalty, Commitment, and Hard Work. In short, strive to be the example.

2.       As a parent, I will not coach or instruct the team or any swimmer at a practice or meets (from the stands or any other area) or interfere with the coaches on the pool deck.  There shall be no filming or timing of swimmers at practices by parents.

3.       I agree to demonstrate good sportsmanship by conducting myself in a manner that earns the respect of my child (or children), other swimmers, parents, officials and the coaches at meets and practices.

4.       I agree to maintain self-control at all times. I recognize that:

                       SWIMMERS - SWIM                    COACHES - COACH

                       OFFICIALS - OFFICIATE              PARENTS - PARENT

5.       As a parent, I understand that criticism, name-calling, use of abusive language or gestures directed toward the coaches, officials, and/or any participating swimmer will not be permitted or tolerated.

6.       Fulfill my obligations to assist with duties assigned to New Albany Aquatics Clubs at meets, and specifically at home meets, which we host only for the benefit to our NAAC Swimmers.

7.       Ensure that all payments due New Albany Aquatic Club are made in a timely manner so the Club is able to meets its obligations relating to pool rental, coaching salaries and meet entry fees.

8.       I have read and reviewed all NAAC Policies, which are in line with the USA Swimming Model Policies regarding Team Travel, Photography, Electronic Communications and Bullying.

9.       Unless noted here, I will allow for my child’s photo to be used in accordance with the NAAC Photography Policy.  Please note here by stating “NO” if NAAC is not to use your child’s photo and/or indicate limitations as warranted: __________________________________________________________________

10.       I will direct my concerns to the Lead Group Coach first (or their proxy), and then as warranted to the Head Coach (John Coffman) and/or Assistant to the Head Coach (Jen Bernsdorf)

I agree that should I conduct myself in such a way that brings discredit or discord to the New Albany Aquatics Club, or USA Swimming, I voluntarily subject myself to disciplinary action, including but not limited to a required meeting, suspension and/or possible release from the New Albany Aquatics Club.

___________________________________        ________________ 

Parent Signature                                                    Date

 

 

SWIMMER CODE OF CONDUCT

The purpose of a code of conduct for athletes is to establish a consistent expectation for athletes’ behavior.  The following code of conduct is in effect throughout the year.  Some of the rules and guidelines refer to swimmers traveling to out of town meets.  Each swimmer by signing this Code of Conduct agrees to abide by the rules set forth and if the swimmer fails to do so, he or she will be subject to disciplinary action as deemed appropriate by the coaching staff.  By signing this code of conduct I agree to the following statements:

1. I will respect and show courtesy to my teammates and coaches at all times.

2. I will demonstrate good sportsmanship at all practices and meets, including pre- and post- practices and meets.

3. I will set a good example of behavior, work ethic and teamwork for all of my teammates by supporting the values of Learn, Have Fun & Compete, the 10 Principles of Athletic Success, as well as the general attributes of Discipline, Loyalty, Commitment, and Hard Work. In short, I will strive to be the example.

4. I will be respectful of my teammates feelings and personal space.

5. I will attend all team meetings and training sessions possible, unless excused by my coach.

6. I will show respect for all facilities and other property (including locker rooms, team areas at meets, etc) used during practices, competitions, and any/all team activities.

7. I will refrain from disrespecting others, violence, and behaviors deemed dishonest, offensive or illegal.

8. If I disagree with an official’s call, I will speak with my coach and not approach the official directly.

9. I will obey all of USA Swimming’s rules and codes of conduct, and all NAAC Policies, which are in line with the USA Swimming Model Policies regarding Team Travel, Photography, Electronic Communications and Bullying.

10. I will abide by the rules, policies, practices, and meet guidelines as set forth by the coach(es) for their respective group(s) as well as the Team guidelines in general.

I recognize my responsibility to abide by the rules and requirements of the New Albany Aquatics Club and I acknowledge that my coach has informed me their expectations and rules. 

I understand that if I violate this code of conduct, I will be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to a required meeting, suspension and/or possible release from the New Albany Aquatics Club.

Swimmer ______________________________          Date _______________________________

Parent _________________________________         Date _______________________________

 

Electronic Communications, Team Travel, Photography, Bullying

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NAAC POLICY: ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION

PURPOSE

NAAC recognizes the prevalence of electronic communication and social media in today’s world. Many of our swimmers use these means as their primary method of communication. While the Club acknowledges the potential value of these methods of communication, the Club also realizes that there are associated risks that must be considered, particularly when adults use these methods to communicate with minors.

GENERAL CONTENT

All communications between a coach or other adult and an athlete should be professional in nature and for the purpose of communicating information about team activities. Athlete to Athlete communications should likewise fall inside the bounds of accepted protocol and shall avoid all bulleted items below.  The content and intent of all electronic communications must adhere to the USA Swimming Code of Conduct regarding Athlete Protection.

For example, as with any communication with an athlete, electronic communication should not contain or relate to any of the following: 

  • drugs or alcohol use;
  •  sexually oriented conversation; sexually explicit language; sexual activity
  • the adult’s personal life , social activities, relationship or family issues, or personal problems; and
  • inappropriate or sexually explicit pictures

Note: Any communication concerning an athlete's personal life, social activities, relationship or family issues or personal problems must be transparent, accessible and professional.

Whether one is an athlete, coach, board member or parent, the guiding principle to always use in communication is to ask: “Is this communication something that someone else would find appropriate or acceptable in a face-to-face meeting?” or “Is this something you would be comfortable saying out loud to the intended recipient of your communication in front of the intended recipient’s parents, the coaching staff, the board, or other athletes?”

With respect to electronic communications, a simple test that can be used in most cases is whether the electronic communication with swimmers is Transparent, Accessible and Professional.

Transparent:  All electronic communication between coaches and athletes should be transparent.  Your communication should not only be clear and direct, but also free of hidden meanings, innuendo and expectations.

Accessible:  All electronic communication between coaches and athletes should be considered a matter of record and part of the Club’s records.  As indicated, include another coach or parent in the communication so that there is no question regarding accessibility.

Professional:  All electronic communication between a coach and an athlete should be conducted professionally as a representative of the Club.  This includes word choices, tone, grammar, and subject matter that model the standards and integrity of a staff member.

If your communication meets all three of the T.A.P. criteria, then it is likely your method of communication with athletes will be appropriate.

FACEBOOK, BLOGS, AND SIMILAR SITES

Coaches may have personal Facebook (or other social media site) pages, but they should not have any non-HS graduate athlete member of the Club join their personal page as a “friend.” A coach should not accept any “friend” request from a non-HS graduate athlete. In addition, the coach should remind the athlete that this is not permitted.  Coaches and athletes should not “private message” each other through Facebook.  Coaches and athletes should not “instant message” or “direct message” each other through Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram or other IM methods.

NAAC has an official Facebook page that athletes and their parents can “friend” for information and updates on team-related matters.  Coaches are encouraged to set their pages to “private” to prevent athletes from accessing the coach’s personal information.

TEXTING

Subject to the general guidelines mentioned above, texting is allowed between coaches and athletes during the hours from 5am until 9pm.  Texting shall be primarily used for the purpose of communicating information directly related to team activities.

EMAIL

Athletes and coaches may use email to communicate between the hours of 5am and 9pm. When communicating with an athlete through email, a parent, another coach, or a board member should also be copied (CC or BCC).

REQUEST TO DISCONTINUE ALL ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

The parents or guardians of an athlete may request in writing that their child not be contacted by coaches through any form of electronic communication.

Code of Conduct

The NAAC Parent & Swimmer Codes of Conduct include all of the above guidelines, both general and specific.  Your signed Code of Conduct form functions as acknowledgement and acceptance of these policies.

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NAAC POLICY: TEAM TRAVEL

Purpose: Athletes are most vulnerable to misconduct during travel, particularly overnight stays. This includes a high risk of athlete-to-athlete misconduct. During travel, athletes are often away from their families and support networks, and the setting – new changing areas, locker rooms, workout facilities, automobiles, and hotel rooms – is less structured and less familiar.

Team Travel is defined as overnight travel to a swim meet or other team activity that is planned and supervised by the club or LSC.

Section 1 - USA Swimming Required Policies

Club and LSC travel policies must include these policies. These items are Code of Conduct stipulations in the USA Swimming Rulebook.

  1. Club travel policies must be signed and agreed to by all athletes, parents, coaches and other adults traveling with the club. (305.5.D)
  2. Team managers and chaperones must be members of USA Swimming and have successfully passed a USA Swimming-administered criminal background check. (305.5.B)
  3. Regardless of gender, a coach shall not share a hotel room or other sleeping arrangement with an athlete (unless the coach is the parent, guardian, sibling, or spouse of that particular athlete). (305.5.A)
  4. When only one athlete and one coach travel to a competition, the athlete must have his/her parents’ (or legal guardian’s) written permission in advance to travel alone with the coach. (305.5C)

Section 2 - NAAC Recommended Policies

  1. During team travel, when doing room checks, attending team meetings and/or other activities, two-deep leadership and open and observable environments should be maintained.
  2. Athletes should not ride in a coach’s vehicle without another adult present who is the same gender as the athlete, unless prior parental permission is obtained.
  3. During overnight team travel, if athletes are paired with other athletes they shall be of the same gender and should be a similar age. Where athletes are age 13 & over, chaperones and/or team managers would ideally stay in nearby rooms.
  4. When only one athlete and one coach travel to a competition, at the competition the coach and athlete may attempt to establish a “buddy” club to associate with during the competition and when away from the venue.
  5. To ensure the propriety of the athletes and to protect the staff, there will be no male athletes in female athlete’s rooms and no female athletes in male athlete’s rooms (unless the other athlete is a sibling or spouse of that particular athlete, or it is an open team function; ex - Team movie, with an always open door policy).
  6. A copy of the Club Code of Conduct must be signed by the athlete and his/her parent or legal guardian.
  7. Team or LSC officials should obtain a signed Liability Release and/or Indemnification Form for each athlete (noted at Team Registration).
  8. Team or LSC officials should carry or have digital access to a signed Medical Consent or Authorization to Treat Form for each athlete.
  9. Curfews shall be established by the team or LSC staff each day of the trip.
  10. Team members and staff traveling with the team will attend all team functions including meetings, practices, meals, meet sessions, etc. unless otherwise excused or instructed by the head coach or his/her designee.
  11. The directions & decisions of coaches/chaperones are final.
  12. Swimmers are expected to remain with the team at all times during the trip. Swimmers are not to leave the competition venue, the hotel, a restaurant, or any other place at which the team has gathered without the permission/knowledge of the coach or chaperone.
  13. When visiting public places such as shopping malls, movie theaters, etc. swimmers will stay in groups of no less than three persons. 12 & Under athletes will be accompanied by a chaperone.
  14. The Head Coach or his/her designee shall make a written report of travel policy or code of conduct violations to the appropriate leadership and the parent or legal guardian of any affected minor athlete.
  15. Meets that require airline travel or like will be completed by the Team Family, and any swimmer 14 or under and/or not yet in HS must have a parent and/or willing chaperone assigned for travel and meet safety (can be another parent).

Section 3 - Additionally

Safety

  1. Additional guidelines to be established as needed by the coaches
  2. Supervised team room provided for relaxation and recreation
  3. Respect the privacy of each other
  4. Primarily use hotel rooms with interior entrances
  5. Must wear seat belts and remain seated in vehicles

Behavior  

  1. Be quiet and respect the rights of teammates and others in hotel
  2. Be prompt and on time
  3. Adhere to the Electronic Communications Policy
  4. Respect travel vehicles
  5. Use appropriate behavior in public facilities
  6. Coaches may establish two different curfews – in own rooms and lights out
  7. Must stay in assigned hotel room
  8. Needs and wellbeing of the team come first

Financial

  1. No room service for Team Athlete Rooms
  2. Swimmers responsible for all incidental charges
  3. Swimmers responsible for any damages or thievery at hotel
  4. Must participate in contracted group meals (if any)

Code of Conduct

The NAAC Parent & Swimmer Codes of Conduct include all of the above guidelines, both general and specific.  Your signed Code of Conduct form functions as acknowledgement and acceptance of these policies.

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NAAC POLICY: PHOTOGRAPHY

PURPOSE

There has been much talk about whether it is safe to have images taken of children participating in sports. While the great majority of images are appropriate and are taken in good faith, it is a fact that images can be misused and children can be put at risk if common-sense procedures are not observed.

POLICIES

  1. The publishing of a photograph of swimmer under 18 either on a notice board or in a published article or video recording (including video streaming) of swimming competitions (“publication”) will be done with parents’ consent or refusal per the NAAC Code of Conduct.
  2. A parent or guardian has a right to refuse to have their children photographed. The exercise of this right of refusal cannot be used as grounds for refusing entry into a swimming competition.

In the case of open meets and other competitions where the host club has an official photographer present, all parents attending should be made aware of this in the meet information.

All photographs must observe generally accepted standards of decency in particular:

  • Action shots should be a celebration of the sporting activity and not a sexualized image in a sporting context.
  • Action shots should not be taken or retained where the photograph reveals a torn or displaced swim suit.
  • Photographs shall never be taken from behind swimming blocks at the start of a race or exhibit a child climbing out of the swimming pool.
  • Photographs shall never be taken in locker-rooms or bathrooms.
  • Swimmers and/or parents/guardians have the right of refusal of any posted pictures not covered by the above.

Code of Conduct

The NAAC Parent & Swimmer Codes of Conduct include all of the above guidelines, both general and specific.  Your signed Code of Conduct form functions as acknowledgement and acceptance of these policies.

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NAAC POLICY: ACTION PLAN TO ADDRESS BULLYING

PURPOSE 

Bullying of any kind is unacceptable at NAAC and will not be tolerated.  Bullying is counterproductive to team spirit and can be devastating to a victim.  The Club is committed to providing a safe, caring and friendly environment for all of our members.  If bullying does occur, all athletes and parents should know that incidents will be dealt with promptly and effectively. Anyone who knows that bullying is happening is expected to tell a coach, board member or athlete/mentor.

Objectives of NAAC’s Bullying Policy and Action Plan:

  1. To make it clear that the Club will not tolerate bullying.
  2. To define bullying and give all board members, coaches, parents and swimmers a good understanding of what bullying is.
  3. To make it known to all parents, swimmers and coaching staff that there is a policy and protocol should any bullying issues arise.
  4. To make the reporting of bullying clear and understandable.

WHAT IS BULLYING?

The USA Swimming Code of Conduct prohibits bullying. Generally, bullying is the use of aggression, whether intentional or not, which hurts another person.  Bullying can result in pain and distress for the target.

The USA Swimming Code of Conduct defines bullying in 304.3.7.  Bullying is the severe or repeated use by one or more USA Swimming members of oral, written, electronic or other technological expression, image, sound, data or intelligence of any nature (regardless of the method of transmission), or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at any other member that to a reasonably objective person has the effect of:

  1. causing physical or emotional harm to the other member or damage to the other member’s property;
  2. placing the other member in reasonable fear of harm to himself/herself or of damage to his/her property;
  3. creating a hostile environment for the other member at any USA Swimming activity;
  4. infringing on the rights of the other member at any USA Swimming activity; or
  5. materially and substantially disrupting the training process or the orderly operation of any USA Swimming activity (which for the purposes of this section shall include, without limitation, practices, workouts and other events of a member club or LSC).

REPORTING PROCEDURE

An athlete who feels that he or she has been bullied is asked to follow this general order to best address the situation:

  • Swimmer - Talk to your parents to be sure they are aware of an issue
  • Swimmer and/or Parent - Talk to your Lead Coach, Assistant Head Coach and/or Head Coach
  • Parent - Write an email to the Lead Coach and CC the Assistant to the Head Coach and the Head Coach, also may request a meeting
  • Parent - Make a report to the USA Swimming Safe Sport staff

There is no express time limit for initiating a complaint under this procedure, but every effort should be made to bring the complaint to the attention of the appropriate club leadership as soon as possible to make sure that memories are fresh and behavior can be accurately recalled and the bullying behavior can be stopped as soon as possible.


HOW WE HANDLE BULLYING

If bullying is occurring during team-related activities, we STOP BULLYING ON THE SPOT using the following steps:

  1. Intervene immediately. It is ok to get another adult to help
  2. Separate the kids involved
  3. Make sure everyone is safe
  4. Meet any immediate medical or mental health needs
  5. Stay calm. Reassure the kids involved, including bystanders
  6. Model respectful behavior when intervening

If bullying is occurring at our club or it is reported to be occurring at our club, we address the bullying by FINDING OUT WHAT HAPPENED and SUPPORTING THE KIDS INVOLVED using the following approach:

FINDING OUT WHAT HAPPENED

  1. First, we get the facts. 
    1. Keep all the involved children separate.
    2. Get the story from several sources, both adults and kids as appropriate
    3. Listen without blaming
    4. Don’t call the act “bullying” while you are trying to understand what happened
    5. It may be difficult to get the whole story, especially if multiple athletes are involved or the bullying involves social bullying or cyber bullying – always collect all available information
  2. Then, we determine if it's bullying. There are many behaviors that look like bullying but require different approaches. It is important to determine whether the situation is bullying or something else. 
    1. Review the USA Swimming definition of bullying;
    2. To determine if the behavior is bullying or something else, consider the following questions:
  • What is the history between the kids involved?
  • Have there been past conflicts?
  • Is there a power imbalance? Remember that a power imbalance is not limited to physical strength and/or speed. It is sometimes not easily recognized
  • Has this happened before? Is the child worried it will happen again?
    1. Remember that it may not matter “who started it.” Some kids who are bullied may be seen as annoying or provoking, but this does not excuse the bullying behavior.
    2. Once you have determined if the situation is bullying, support all of the kids involved.

SUPPORTING THE KIDS INVOLVED

  1. Support the kids who are being bullied
    1. Listen and focus on the child. Learn what’s been going on and show you want to help. Assure the child that bullying is not their fault.
    2. Work together to resolve the situation and protect the bullied child. The child, parents, and fellow team members and coaches may all have valuable input. It may help to:
      1. Ask the child being bullied what can be done to make him or her feel safe. Remember that changes to routine should be minimized.
      2. Develop a game plan. Maintain open communication between the Club and parents. Discuss the steps that will be taken and how bullying will be addressed going forward.
    3. Be persistent. Bullying may not end overnight. Commit to making it stop and consistently support the bullied child.
  2. How we address bullying behavior
    1. Make sure the child knows what the problem behavior is. Young people who bully must learn their behavior is wrong and harms others.
    2. Show kids that bullying is taken seriously. Calmly tell the child that bullying will not be tolerated. Model respectful behavior when addressing the problem.
    3. Work with the child to understand some of the reasons he or she bullied. For example:
      1. Sometimes children bully to fit in or just to make fun of someone is a little different from them.  In other words, there may be some insecurity involved.
      2. Other times kids act out because something else—issues at home, abuse, stress—is going on in their lives. They also may have been bullied. These kids may be in need of additional support.
    4. Involve the kid who bullied in making amends or repairing the situation. The goal is to help them see how their actions affect others. For example, the child can:
      1. Write a letter apologizing to the athlete who was bullied.
      2. Do a good deed for the person who was bullied, for the Club, or for others in your community.
      3. Clean up, repair, or pay for any property they damaged.
    5. Avoid strategies that don’t work or have negative consequences:
      1. Zero tolerance or “three strikes, you’re out” strategies don’t work. Suspending or removing from the team swimmers who bully may not reduce bullying behavior. Swimmers may be less likely to report and address bullying if suspension or getting kicked off the team is the consequence.
      2. Conflict resolution and peer mediation don’t work for bullying. Bullying is not a conflict between people of equal power who share equal blame. Facing those who have bullied may further upset kids who have been bullied.
    6. Follow-up. After the bullying issue is resolved, continue finding ways to help the child who bullied to understand how what they do affects other people. For example, praising acts of kindness or talking about what it means to be a good teammate.
       
  3. Supporting the bystanders who witness bullying.  Every day, kids witness bullying. They want to help, but don’t know how. Fortunately, there are a few simple, safe ways that athletes can help stop bullying when they see it happening.
    1. Be a friend to the person being bullied
    2. Tell a trusted adult – your parent, your Lead Coach and/or any NAAC Coach
    3. Help the kid being bullied get away from the situation.  Create a distraction, focus the attention on something else, or offer a way for the target to get out of the situation.  “Let’s go, practice is about to start.”
    4. Set a good example by not bullying others
    5. Don’t give the bully an audience.  Bullies are encouraged by the attention they get from bystanders.  If you do nothing else, just walk away.

Code of Conduct

The NAAC Parent & Swimmer Codes of Conduct include all of the above guidelines, both general and specific.  Your acknowledgement of our NAAC Code of Conduct & Team Policies functions as acknowledgement and acceptance of these policies.